Our Ripple Effect Grants Program opens for applications in February each year.
The program supports projects and initiatives that align with our community strategy, make a significant and positive change within our local community, and are great value for money.
Ripple Effect prioritises support for community-based, not for-profit organisations throughout our service region.
In 2025 we awarded 13 fantastic organisations a total of $44,000 in grants to better their local communities. Learn more about the projects:
School-based
Cobden Technical School’s Year 9 students will be promoting recycling and teaching their fellow students about its importance. They’re using their $1,000 grant to reduce the school’s contribution to landfill by introducing specialised collection bins.
With their $1,000 grant, Hawkesdale P12 College indigenous students will create an artwork celebrating the six seasons for their new indigenous garden. This garden will highlight indigenous heritage and foster a sense of belonging, creativity and connection for students.
St Patrick’s Primary School Koroit will receive $1,000 for their Green Squad project. Year 6 students will lead the initiative and show other students the importance of recycling and sustainable habits.
Community
Beyond the Bell Great South Coast has been awarded $3,500 to fund their MAD Youth Leadership Program, empowering young people aged 12 to 18. Participants will receive seed funding, materials and logistical support to turn their community project ideas into a reality.
Brophy Family and Youth Services will run a five-week surf program for women and girls with their $5,000 grant. The Surf Sisters program will teach participants how to surf and build confidence, encouraging social connections.
The Cavendish Townscape Association will receive $5,000 to install an automated watering system for the Cavendish Primary School oval. This will create a much needed new green space for local children and other community groups.
The Laang Speedway Club will use their $4,000 grant to install three new water storage tanks. These tanks will not only help their track and events but also provide an important water source for the local fire brigade.
The Merino Public Hall Committee will receive $5,000 to upgrade catering facilities and install block-out blinds to help them host large community events.
A grant of $5,000 has been awarded to Portland’s Upwelling Festival for educational programs including marine environment talks, a Museum Victoria display, and First Peoples’ cultural presentations, dancers and entertainers.
Warrnambool & District Community Hospice will receive $2,000 to host a Gathering of Remembrance, honouring the people supported by the Hospice in the Home program. The event will bring families together to connect and comfort each other as well as thank the service attendees for their work.
Warrnambool Symphony Orchestra will use their $4,500 to host an Annual Children’s Concert. The two performances will encourage children to actively participate through dance and playing instruments.
WRAD Health will receive $3,000 for their Recovery Art Postcard Project. Participants will create artwork highlighting the positive parts of their recovery journey. Postcards of these works will be shared at community events to increase awareness and reduce stigma around recovery.
International aid
Water East Timor (WET) Warrnambool will receive $4,000 to install a new toilet block at the St Agostinho Secondary School in Timor-Leste. This will give the staff and students access to clean water and sanitation onsite instead of needing to travel to a nearby school.
Learn about our grants
There are three streams of grant funding available under the Ripple Effect program
Community grants of up to $5,000 are available for not-for-profit, volunteer-based, community organisations to undertake projects that aim to strengthen communities.
International aid grants of up to $4,000 are available for local community organisations undertaking projects to strengthen communities overseas.
School-based grants of up to $1,000 are available for schools (or school councils) to undertake projects within their school community.
We have a strategic focus
Applications for grant funding through the Ripple Effect program must align with (but are not limited to) at least one of the following community strategy themes and areas of focus:
Initiatives that will build capacity with a focus on leadership, engagement, partnership, strategy and advocacy e.g. field days, leadership forums.
Initiatives that will promote access to quality education, training and volunteering pathways e.g. school fetes..
Initiatives that will enhance public health and physical and mental wellbeing e.g. sporting groups, fun runs.
Initiatives that promote healthy and sustainable ecosystems e.g. tree planting days.
Want to apply?
Applications for the 2025 community grants have now closed. Please keep an eye on our socials for more information when 2026 nominations open next year.
Interested in merchandise sponsorship?
We also have a range of merchandise available to support community groups with your local events and initiatives. Applications for our first round of merchandise sponsorship are now closed. A second round will open in August. Keep an eye on our socials for more information.
